Reeling device



V. l. DUDLEY REELING DEVICE.

Filed May 29, 1958 FIGI.

Oct. 30, 1962 FIG. 2.

FIG. 3.

UAHH EDA) FIG.4.

INVENTOR VICTOR I. DUDLEY BY fMM ATTORNEY United States Patent Office 3,061,233 Patented Oct. 30, 1962 3,061,233 REELING DEVICE Victor I. Dudley, Franklin, Pa., assignor to Joy Manufacturing Company, Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Filed May 29, 1958, Ser. No. 738,667

11 Claims. (Cl. 242-86.51)

This invention relates to a reeling device and more particularly to an elongated reeling device having a cable reel which extends generally parallel to the direction in which the cable extends from the reeling device.

At the present time it is common practice to provide various industrial vehicles with electrically energized means which necessitates providing some suitable means for supplying electrical current to the vehicle throughout its variable path of movement. In the mining industry one commonly employed method for obtaining electrical energization of such a vehicle is to provide the vehicle with an electrical cable and a reeling device which winds and unwinds cable asthe vehicle moves to and from the source of power to which the remote end of the cable is connected. Heretofore it has been common practice to mount the reeling device with its reel axis extending laterally to the direction in. which the cable extends so that the cable may readily be wound or unwound. In situations where it is desired to wind or unwind substantial lengths of cable from the reeling device it has been found necessary to provide an extremely long reel which, in machines such as shuttle cars, requires that the width of the vehicle be substantially increased as such reels are mounted to one side of the car. Such increased width of cars is particularly undesired where the space available for the shuttle car is quite limited.

Accordingly one object of the invention is to provide a new and improved reeling device having a cable reel with its reel axis extending generally parallel to the direction in which the cable is wound and unwound from the device.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved reeling device having a cable reel, a spooling device for guiding the cable on the reel, and an auxiliary guiding means for guiding the cable to the spooling device so that the cable can extend from the device in the same direction as the axis of the reel.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide a new and improved reeling device having a cable reel, 21 spooling device for guiding the cable on the reel, an auxiliary shaft extending parallel to the axis of the reel and about a portion of which the cable is wrapped before passing through the spooling device, and a pair of closely adjacent sheaves spaced transversely from the auxiliary shaft for guiding the cable with respect to said auxiliary shaft.

These and other objects of the invention will become more apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof when taken in conjunction with the following drawings, in which: 7

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of an elongated vehicle having a reeling device constructed in accordance with the principles of this invention secured to the side thereof,

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged side elevational view of the reeling device as shown in FIG. 1 with the front cover thereof removed and portions broken away to more clearly show the structure thereof, FIGURE 3 is a reduced top plan view of the reeling device as shown in FIG. 2 having the top plate removed and portions brokenaway to more clearly show the structure thereof, and

reeling device as shown in FIG. 2 taken substantially along the lines 44 thereof.

Although a reeling device constructed in accordance with the principles of this invention is adapted for use with various vehicles for the purpose of describing this invention the cable reel is shown secured to an elongated shuttle car 2. Shuttle cars such as the shuttle car 2 are of various well known constructions and in general are provided with a rigid elongated formed side member 6 (only one of which is shown) and suitable wheels 8 rotatively secured to longitudinally spaced axles 10. As shown a reeling device of this invention is secured to side member 6 intermediate the axles 10 to extend laterally therefrom to permit suitable electrical conductor carrying cable 12 to be wound and unwound therefrom and lie on the surf-ace S over which the shuttle car 2 travels outwardly adjacent the normally traveled path of the wheels 8.

Referring to FIGS. 2 to 4 the reeling device of this invention is located within a suitable elongated rectangular compartment 14 with the inner side 16 thereof being rigidly securedto the side member 6 so that the ends 18 thereof extend laterally outwardly from the side member 6. An elongated spool carrying shaft 20 is suitably rotatably supported between the ends 18 with its central axis extending substantially parallel with the central axis of the shuttle car 2. The spool carried by the shaft 20 may be of any suitable structureas is well known in the art having a pair of circular end members 22 which are suitably rigidly secured to the shaft 20 and which extend laterally therearound. The end members 22 are rigidly connected by means of a tubular support I 24 extending therebetween and around the shaft 20. As

will be more fully described hereinafter the conductor carrying cable 12 is wound and unwound as desired around the support 24 between the end members 22. The cable 12 is provided to electrically enregize the electrical motors (not shown) for driving the wheels 8 and accordingly a suitable slip ring assembly 28 is located within the support 24 to which the electrical conductors within the cable 12 and the electrical conductors from the motors (not shown) are connected to provide electrical continuity at all times. In order to permit the cable 12 to pass through the support 24 the support 24 is provided with a suitable clearance opening 25 therein outwardly adjacent the slip ring assembly 28. Inasmuch as the slip ring assemblies 28 and connections thereto are well known in the art and do not constitute a part of this invention, further description and illustration thereof are not believed to be warranted.

The spool assembly is rotatively driven by means of a 4 suitable hydraulic motor 30 of the rotating output shaft FIGURE 4 is a reduced cross sectional view of the of which is coupled to one end of the shaft 20 in any suitable manner such as a chain and sprocket structure 32 as is well known in the art. The motor 30 may be supported in any suitable manner within the compartment 14 such as by being bolted to the lower plate 44 thereof. An elongated spooling or feed shaft 34 is rotatively secured to and extends between spaced brackets 35 rigidly secured to the inner wall 16 with its central axis being substantially parallel to and slightly above the central axis of the shaft 20. The outer surface of the spooling or feed shaft 34 is provided with suitable threads as is well known in the art to drive a spooling eye 36 longitudinally along the side of the spool in opposite axial directions. As shown the spooling eye 36 has a central portion threadedly engaging the shaft 34 to be driven thereby and a portion extending downwardly therefrom having a cylindrical opening 38 therein which is substantially larger than the diameter of the cable 12 which extends axially therethrough. Inorder to prevent the spooling eye 36 from rotating about the shaft 34 the spooling eye 36 is provided with an upwardly extending portion 37 the outer end of which slidably engages a shaft 39 extending between the brackets 35 and supported thereby. Inasmuch as the structure for preventing rotation of the spooling eye 36 may be of any suitable type as well known in the art further description thereof is not believed to be warranted.

As can readily be appreciated, in order to obtain the maximum storage of the cable 12 on the reel it is necessary that the cable 12 be threaded uniformly thereon in a closed spiral pattern in multiple layers. Accordingly the longitudinal movement of the spooling eye 36 over the shaft 34 is coordinated with the rotation of the spool so that the cable 12 has the requisite advance or return upon rotation of the spool. As shown, such coordination has been obtained by means of a chain and sprocket assembly 27 connected to the shaft 34 and the shaft at the end opposite that at which the chain and sprocket assembly 32 is located.

An elongated shaft 40 is also rotatably secured to and extends between the ends 18 with its central axis being located below and substantially in vertical alignment with the central axis of the shaft 34. The shaft 40 is provided to insure that the cable 12 is properly guided into the opening 38 of the spooling eye 36. A pair of circular guide sheaves 42 having circular inwardly extending arcuate cable engaging faces 43 are secured to the lower plate 44 of the compartment 14 so as to be rotatable about vertical axes. As shown the sheaves 42 are located adjacent the outer edge of the compartment 14 so that the cable 12 may be dropped on the surface S outwardly of the wheels 8 to prevent their being run over by the wheels 8 during normal back and forward operation of the shuttle car 2. It will be obvious that the outer side 46 of the chamber 14 must be provided with an opening 48 adjacent sheaves 42 to permit the cable 12 to enter and leave the compartment 14. In order to prevent the cable 12 from being jammed against the sheaves 42 by the engagement of the car 2 with a side surface, an elongated side bar 50 is provided which is suitably rigidly secured to the compartment 14 to extend above the sheaves 42 and outwardly therefrom so as to be engageable with such a side surface before the cable is crushed into the sheaves 42. The bar 50 is preferably of a circular cross section to permit the cable 12 to freely slide thereon in the event the cable 12 is elevated into engagement therewith. In order to facilitate the lifting of the cable 12 from the surface S to the sheaves 42 and the reverse dropping of the cable 12 from the sheaves 42 to the surface S, an elongated bar 52 is provided which extends across and below the outer edge of the sheaves 42. The bar 52 is provided with an arcuate outer surface over which the cable 12 freely slides prior to engaging the faces 43 of the sheaves 42.

As clearly shown in FIG. 4 the end of the cable 12 which is to be connected to the slip ring assembly 28 is initially inserted between the sheaves 42, passed below the spool and around the outer surface of the shaft 40 facing away from the spool, passed through the opening 38 of the spooling eye 36, wrapped around approximately one-half of the outer surface of the support 24 adjacent one of the end members 22, passed through the opening 25 in the support 24, and then electrically connected to the slip ring assembly 28. Thereafter upon energization of the motor to cause winding of the cable the cable is wound around the outer surface of the support 24 in a closed spiral by means of the advance of the spooling eye 36.

As is well known the threaded shaft 34 and the inter mediate portion of the spooling eye 36 permits the spooling 36 to reciprocate adjacent the spool so that a plurality of layers may be stored on the spool. In a similar manner the shaft 34 and eye 36 permits the cable 12 to be unwound uniformly from the spool. In view of such multiple layers 12 on the spool the angle of the cable 12 extending from the spooling eye 36 to the spool with reference to a horizontal plane changes for each layer of cable and accordingly the opening 38 is of a sufficient size to permit the cable 12 to extend therethrough at such varying angles. It will be noted that the pull exerted on the cable 12 during winding or unwinding is directed laterally of the axis of the spool and that the portion of the cable 12 extending from the sheaves 42 to the shaft 40 extends generally laterally below the ends of the spool so that there is a force to cause reverse bending of the cable 12. The shaft 40 provides a guide intermediate the sheaves 42 and the spooling eye 36 to insure that such intermediate portion of the cable 12 is not bent at such a severe angle as to cause any damage thereto. In addition the outer surface of the shaft 40 is spaced from the axes of the opening 38 so that the cable 12 is moved tangentially therefrom through the opening 38. Accordingly it is not essential that the shaft 40 be rotatable, however, such rotation is preferred to minimize wear on the cable 12. Also, if desired, the guide roller may be supported by the brackets 35 rather than by being supported between the ends 18.

Referring to FIG. 3 it will be noted that, as shown, the portion of the cable 12 extending from the face 43 of the initially engaged sheave 42 to the shaft 40 when the spool is initially threaded cause the cable 12 to be reversedly bent in a horizontal plane. As the cable 12 is wound upon the spool such horizontal bending of the cable is reduced until the cable 12 leaves the sheave 42 it initially engages and crosses over to engage the other sheave 42. Thereafter the cable 12 is bent in somewhat of an S-shape in the horizontal plane. In order to minimize the horizontal bending of the cable 12 the axes of the sheaves 42 are located on opposite sides of the lateral center line of the spool and as close thereto as possible without interfering with the rotation thereof. By so 10- cating the sheave close together the cable 12 can easily move from one face 43 of one sheave 42 to the other face 43 of the other sheave 42 without exerting any sharp pull on the cable 12.

Although as described the entire reeling device is enclosed in the compartment 14 such enclosure is not required for its operation. Also as shown, the shaft 49 may be hollow if desired in order to reduce its weight. Inasmuch as the reeling device is for an electrical cable the spool, sheaves 42, shaft 40, the spooling eye 36 and the bar 52 may be made from any suitable insulating material having sufficient strength to reduce the danger of electrical energization of the reeling device in the event the insulation on the cable 12 is worn away. Thus, for example, a suitable phenolic material may be employed for the sheaves 42 and the shaft 40. By the heretofore described reeling device the shuttle car 2 is particularly adapted to travel in a forward or reverse path since the cable 12 can readily feed in or out of the device in any direction along the side of the car. Also, a suitable control for the motor 30 such as that shown and described in Patent No. 2,698,104 issued December 28, 1954, may be provided in conjunction with the normally employed shuttle car controls to obtain the desired winding or unwinding of the cable 12 as the car 2 is set in motion. Also a control may be provided to stop any motion of the car after the safe maximum amount of cable 12 has been removed from the spool.

Having described a preferred embodiment of the invention in accordance with the patent statutes, it is to be realized that modifications thereof may be made without departing from the broad spirit and scope of the invention.

What I claim is:

1. A reeling device comprising, at least three elements located on elongated parallel adjacent axes which are laterally spaced in an acute triangular relationship, one element being a spool shaft disposed on one of said axes,

s a second element comprising a guide shaft disposed on another of said axes for guiding cable to and from said spool shaft, a third element being guide means having a portion disposed on the remaining axis for guiding cable outwardly from said guide shaft in a direction substantially parallel to the direction of said axes and feed means mounted on said frame having a movable member with at least a portion thereof located intermediate said first and second elements for directing cable to and from said first element.

2. A reeling device consisting of three laterally spaced elements suported on a frame and disposed on elongated parallel axe respectively, said axes being spaced in later ally acute triangular relationship, a first element being a spool shaft disposed on one of said axes, a second element being a first guide means disposed on another of said axes for guiding cable to and from said spool shaft, a third element being a second guide means having a portion disposed on the remaining axis for selectively guiding cable to and from Said first guide means and for receiving and discharging cable substantially in the direction of said axes and feed means mounted on said frame having a movable member with at least a portion thereof located intermediate said first and second elements for directing cable to and from said first element.

3. A reeling device as set forth in claim 2 wherein said second guide means comprises a pair of rotatable sheaves having their axes of rotation extending upwardly and being normal respectively from a plane passing through the axis of said second element and the axis of said third element.

4. A reeling device as set forth in claim 2 wherein said spool shaft has means mounted adjacent thereto for driving said spool shaft.

5. A reeling device as set forth in claim 4 wherein said feed means has a spooling eye and means for coordinating the movement of said spooling eye with the movement of said spool shaft.

6. A reeling device comprising at least three elements supported by a frame, said elements located on elongated parallel axes which are laterally spaced in an acute triangular relationship, a first element being a spool shaft located on one of said axes, a second element being a guide shaft located on another of said axes, spooling means located at least in part between said guide shaft and said spool shaft for guiding cable therebetween, and a third element being a pair of guide sheaves disposed on the remaining axis having their axes normal to said remaining axis for guiding cable to and from said guide shaft and for receiving and discharging cable substantially in the direction of said axes.

7. A shuttle car having a body with an elongated central storage means, said elongated body having a central axis defining a longitudinally extending center line thereof, means for moving said body at least in a longitudinal direction, a reeling device mounted on said body having at least three elements located on elongated axe which lie in close adjacent relationship and are substantially parallel to said longitudinal center line, said axes are laterally spaced in an acute triangular relationship, one element being a spool shaft disposed on one of said axes, a second element comprising a guide shaft disposed on another of said axes for guiding cable to and from said spool shaft, and a third element being guide means disposed on the remaining axis for guiding cable to and from said guide shaft and for receiving and discharging cable substantially in the direction of said axes, said remaining axis lying along the outer side of said body while the guide shaft axis lies relatively adjacent said center line of said body, the spool axis lying in non-linear relationship with respect to the guide shaft axis and guide means axis.

8. A mobile shuttle car comprising a body, having a central storage compartment, with said body having side edges and at least one ground engaging member mounted adjacent one side edge of said body, a pair of rotatable guide sheaves mounted in spaced apart relationship adjacent said one edge to guide a movable power cable between said guide sheaves, the axes of said sheaves extending upwardly in relation to the surface over which said body travels, a rotatable guide roll located adjacent said guide sheaves inwardly of said one edge on said body with said guide roll axis lying in the direction of said one edge, said guide roll guides a power cable to and from said guide sheaves, a rotatable spool spaced from said guide roll with its axis lying parallel to the axis of said guide roll and between the axes of said guide roll and said sheaves in non-liner relationship, spooling means mounted adjacent said spool for feeding cable guided by said guide rolls onto said spool, and said rotatable sheaves being mounted with a part of the periphery extending outward at least as far as the outer face of said at least one ground engaging member to lay the cable beside the car away from the ground engaging member during back spooling.

9. A movable shuttle car having an elongated body with central storage means, said body having a central axis, said body having a compartment on one side of said body, said compartment comprised of a bottom plate and two spaced vertical ends, the bottom plate having an edge that lies along the outer side of said body parallel to said central axis, a reeling device located in said compartment comprising a spool shaft mounted between said spaced ends having its axis parallel to the axis of said elongated body, a spool mounted on said spopl shaft to provide a storage means for cable wound or unwound therefrom, means for rotating said spool shaft, a rotatable guide roll mounted between said spaced ends with its axis of rotation parallel to said spool shaft, said guide roll axis lying between the central axis of said body and said spool axis, spaced downwardly from the latter axis, spooling means adjacent said spool for winding cable onto said spool as the cable is received from said guide roll, a pair of rotatable guide sheaves located on said bottom plate with its axis of rotation extending upwardly from said plate, and said plate edge being substantially tangent to said sheaves, said guide sheaves directing cable to said guide roll or laterally outward from said sheaves for depositing of such cable on the ground traversed by said car in a direction substantially in line with plate edge which is the direction of travel of said body.

10. A movable shuttle car having an elongated body with its central axis disposed in the direction of travel of said body, a rectangular compartment with a bottom plate, spaced ends and an inner side located on one side of said body, said rectangular compartment having the ends and inner side secured to said body while the top and outer side are open, a reeling device located in said compartment comprising a pair of rotatable sheaves mounted on said plate adjacent the outer side of said compartment with the axes of said sheaves extending upwardly from said bottom plate with the sheaves adapted to guide cable discharged from said reeling device outwardly thereof for depositing of such cable on the ground traversed by said car in a direction of travel of said body, a spool shaft mounted between said ends and spaced equally from said inner and outer side with the axis of said spool shaft disposed parallel to the central axis of said body, a spool fixed to said spool shaft, a guide roll secured to said spaced ends and located adjacent said inner side of said compartments to guide cable from said sheave to said spool, said spool shaft located in non-linear relationship with respect to said guide roll.

11. A reeling device for a mobile vehicle having an elongated storage body with a support defining a plane, said support having a forward edge substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the body, a pair of sheaves mounted on said support adjacent said edge with the axis of rotation of said sheave being normal to the plane of said support, a guide roll mounted on said support with its axis closely adjacent and parallel to the edge of said support, a rotatable spool mounted on said support adjacent said guide roll with said spool axis parallel and spaced above said guide roll axis, said spool axis lying between said guide roll axis and said edge of the support, means for spooling cable onto or off said spool located adjacent said spool so that as cable is wound or unwound from said spool it passes to or from said spool through said spooling means over said guide means and through said sheaves with the cable being discharged outwardly from said sheaves.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 56,906 Dable Aug. 7, 1866 539,995 Nason May 28, 1895 942,813 Denn Dec. 7, 1909 1,514,148 Forssblad Nov. 4, 1924 2,562,886 Beck Aug. 7, 1951 

